Animal Update: Atlantic Nettles

Published September 16, 2016

Atlantic nettles are some of the most common nettles to be found in our local waters. The coloration of the nettles depends on the region in which they live. In the Chesapeake Bay, nettles are primarily an opaque, white color. In the Atlantic Ocean, however, these nettles can have white, red or brown coloration.

Some of these darker colored nettles have been added to the Jellies Invasion exhibit! You can distinguish them from the Chesapeake Bay nettles based on their reddish-brown color. These nettles are typically found in ocean waters, rather than in estuaries.

The inclusion of these new nettles presents a research opportunity for the staff of Jellies Invasion. Staff will attempt to rear offspring from these individuals to see what can be learned about how this coloration is acquired and passed on, if at all.